Whether you’re bringing a new kitten home, getting ready to travel with your cat, or simply looking for a replacement carrier for regular vet visits, you may be wondering what the best options are on the market right now.
I’ve reviewed dozens of cat carriers across several popular brands to determine which are the absolute best based on safety, size, convenience, comfort, and customer reviews. You can check out my entire methodology for choosing the best cat carriers below.
8 of the Best Cat Carriers Available Now
When it comes to traveling with a cat, preparation is key. The sooner you purchase a new cat carrier and introduce it to your feline friend, the more likely they’ll be to find comfort in it the day of travel.
Fortunately, there are tons of cat carriers available online that you can choose from. Whether you’re looking for a simple hard-sided or soft-sided carrier, a cat carrier for two cats, an airline-approved cat carrier or a cat carrier with a portable litter box, you can find options for every cat, trip and budget.
Below, you’ll find my top eight picks for the best cat carriers available now.
| Best Soft-Sided Cat Carrier | Petisfam Easy Vet Visit Pet Carrier |  |
| Best Hard-Sided Cat Carrier | Amazon Basics Two-Door Pet Travel Carrier |  |
| Best Expandable Cat Carrier | Siivton Pet Carrier |  |
| Best Cat Carrier for Two Cats | One for Pets Portable 2-in-1 Double Pet Kennel |  |
| Best Budget Cat Carrier | Henkelion Cat Carrier |  |
| Best Cat Carrier With Portable Litter Box | Necoichi Portable Stress-Free Carrier |  |
| Best Airline-Approved Cat Carrier | Sherpa Original Deluxe Airline Approved Pet Carrier |  |
| Best Cat Backpack | Lollimeow Large Cat Backpack |  |
Below, you’ll find additional details on each cat carrier including its size, pros and cons, and where to buy it.
Petisfam Easy Vet Visit Pet Carrier
If you’re looking for a simple collapsible soft-sided carrier, this Easy Vet Visit Pet Carrier for Medium Cats is a great choice. It’s lightweight with breathable nylon mesh and it opens on three sides (one top opening and two side openings). That provides easy visibility, air flow, and access to your cat during your trip.
The carrier measures at 17” x 11” x 11” and has a recommended max load of 16 pounds. The carrier is advertised to be airline-approved, but be sure to check with your airline first before purchasing for air travel.
At the time of writing, the Easy Vet Visit Pet Carrier for Medium Cats from Petisfam had over 6,000 reviews on Amazon with an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars.
After reading through several of the customer reviews, here are the major pros and cons I found with this soft-sided carrier:
Pros:
- Several customer reviews report that it was accepted on various airlines
- It’s spacious and comfortable for one medium size cat
- Lightweight without sacrificing quality
Cons:
- Customers report that it isn’t extremely sturdy/doesn’t stay in an upright position on its own
- Some customers have reported issues with the shoulder strap including a lack of security
You can check out all of the customer reviews and the current price of the Petisfam Easy Vet Visit Pet Carrier at Amazon.
Amazon Basics Two-Door Pet Travel Carrier
If you’re looking for a simple hard-sided cat carrier, I recommend checking out the Amazon Basics Two-Door Pet Travel Carrier. It comes in three sizes: 23-inch, 36-inch and 40-inch.
The hard-sided carrier is made of plastic with steel wire doors and screws for secure attachments and safety. It features two doors for front and top entry and air ventilation on the sides, top and back.
When I checked out this carrier on Amazon, it had over 43,000 customer reviews with an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars. After reading through several of the reviews myself, here are the biggest pros and cons I found:
Pros:
- Many customers agree that assembly is fast and easy
- Front loading door plus a top-loading door that opens from both sides
- Sturdy and safe, especially for energetic cats
Cons:
- Some customers report that assembly instructions aren’t very thorough
- Top handle isn’t the most sturdy
You can read full customer reviews and check the current price of the Amazon Basics Two-Door Pet Travel Carrier online.
Siivton Pet Carrier
Whether you’re going on a longer trip or traveling with more than one cat, you may be looking for an expandable cat carrier. if so, I recommend the Siivton Pet Carrier.
The XL size measures 20” x 11.4” x 12.4” before expansion and 41” x 32.4” x 12.4” with all sides out! That’s a great amount of room for both of your cats to travel in.
In addition to the four expandable mesh windows, the carrier also features a solid Oxford frame to hold its shape, a soft fur cushion for comfort, and it’s advertised to be airline-approved. Still, I recommend checking out your airline’s specific requirements if you’re flying with cats.
At the time of writing, the Siivton Pet Carrier had over 6,000 reviews on Amazon with an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars. Here are the major pros and cons that customers reported:
Pros:
- Customers report great flying experiences with this carrier for up to two animals
- Expandable sides come in handy on long-distance trips
- Excellent quality
Cons:
- Not acceptable on all airlines
- The soft bottom causes the carrier to sag a bit when carried
You can read full customer reviews and check the current price of the Siivton Pet Carrier at Amazon.
One for Pets Portable 2-in-1 Double Pet Kennel
If you are traveling with more than one cat, the One for Pets Portable 2-in-1 Double Pet Kennel is my top pick for the best overall cat carrier for two cats. It provides options for you and your cats to create privacy or allow for additional space with an optional divider between two single units.
The carriers feature built-in straps that connect to seatbelts, removable and washable pad covers and interior hooks for hanging optional hammocks. The 2-in-1 set pictured above measures at 20” x 20” x 39” total.
At Amazon, the carrier has earned a very high approval rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars from nearly 1,000 customer reviews. After reading through the reviews myself, here are the biggest pros and cons I’ve found with this 2-in-1 carrier:
Pros:
- Lots of space for two cats
- Excellent quality, very sturdy carriers
- Very comfortable with options for cats to have privacy or company on long road trips
Cons:
- Zippers may need additional reinforcement to prevent savvy cats from escaping
- Pricier than other carriers
You can check out full customer reviews and the current price of the One for Pets Portable 2-in-1 Double Pet Kennel at Amazon.
Henkelion Cat Carrier
If you’re looking for a highly-rated, budget-friendly cat carrier, the Henkelion Pet Carrier for Small/Medium Cats is a great choice. Plus, I also recommend this carrier as one of the best cat carriers for flying.
The carrier comes in two sizes: medium (17” x 11” x 11”) and large (20” x 13” x 13”). It’s also available in six different colors. Plus, at the time of writing, the large carrier was available for only $40 while the medium carrier was only $24!
Fortunately, the lower cost doesn’t mean you’ll be sacrificing any safety or comfort with this carrier. It has an adjustable shoulder strap for wearer comfort and four sides of mesh for proper ventilation. Additionally, it weighs less than a pound and it’s completely machine-washable.
I spent some time reading product reviews at Amazon, and overall customers seemed very satisfied with this carrier. In fact, at the time of writing, it had over 33,000 reviews with an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars at the time of writing
After reading customer reviews, here are the biggest pros and cons that I found:
Pros:
- Affordable without sacrificing safety or quality
- Machine washable for easy cleaning
- Spacious with two sizes available
Cons:
- Not recommended for cats larger than 15 pounds
- Doesn’t hold its shape (soft-sided)
- Has a lingering plastic smell, according to reviews
You can read full customer reviews and check the current price of the Henkelion cat carrier at Amazon.
Necoichi Portable Stress-Free Carrier
If you’re going on a long car trip with your cat, you may be looking for a cat carrier with a portable litter box included. Based on my research, the Necoichi Portable Stress Free Carrier is the best overall cat carrier with litter box. The carrier is large enough for more than one cat to comfortably travel, and it includes a litter box that fits inside.
Here are a few of the Necoichi cat carrier and litter box set’s best features:
- Two mesh panel sides for ventilation and visibility
- Waterproof liner for easy cleaning and leak prevention
- Foldable litter box that snaps shut for portability
- Zipper locks for additional safety
- Includes a removable fleece mat and storage bag
At the time of writing, the Necoichi carrier had over 6,000 customers reviews on Amazon with an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars. After reading through several recent reviews myself, here are the biggest pros and cons I found:
Pros:
- Spacious with enough room for up to two cats
- Lightweight and collapsible for easy storage
Cons:
- Flexible framework means it isn’t the most sturdy
- Difficult to carry
You can read full customer reviews and get the Necoichi cat carrier and litter box set at Amazon.
Sherpa Original Deluxe Airline Approved Pet Carrier
For the best overall airline-approved cat carrier, I recommend the Sherpa Original Deluxe. When I’ve flown with my cats in the past, I purchased two of these carriers for each of them and had a great experience.
The carrier comes in two sizes that are both airline-approved. The medium carrier measures 17″ x 11″ x 10.5″ while the large measures 19″ x 11.75″ x 11.5″.
While this is a little bigger than the average airline-approved cat carrier size, the carrier’s flexible frame allows it to easily conform to under-seat requirements. Plus, several customer reviews mention successful flights with the large size carrier on various airlines including Southwest, American Airlines, and Delta.
In addition to its airline compliance, this cat carrier is great for car trips, vet visits, and more. It’s machine washable with locking zippers, a padded adjustable strap, a seat belt/luggage strap, and a rear pocket. Plus, it weighs only 3.3 pounds and collapses nearly flat for easy storage.
Pros:
- Flexible frame allows the carrier to conform to under-seat requirements
- Machine washable
- Large size is suitable for most airlines
Cons:
- Quality may not be as good as the original Sherpa carrier
- No cover for privacy
At the time of writing, over 9,600 customers had given the carrier an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars at Amazon. You can read full customer reviews and check the current price of the Sherpa Original Deluxe Airline-Approved Pet Carrier at Amazon.
Lollimeow Large Cat Backpack
If you’re looking for a cat backpack as opposed to a traditional cat carrier, the Lollimeow Large Cat Backpack is a great choice. It’s budget-friendly, spacious, and highly-rated on Amazon.
It measures at 15” x 11.4” x 17.7” and holds cats up to 26 pounds. This is one of the reasons I also recommend the Lollimeow Cat Backpack as one of the best cat backpacks for fat cats!
Here are a few of the Lollimeow’s best features:
- Bubble and mesh attachments
- Top opening with zipper closure
- Scratch-resistant and waterproof
- Lightweight (3 pounds on its own)
- Mesh sides and top in addition to ventilation holes
This cat backpack is also advertised as airline-approved, but it’s best to contact your airline beforehand to verify the maximum dimensions. Most airline-approved cat carriers have to be within 18″ x 12″ x 9″.
At the time of writing, this cat backpack had over 1,500 reviews on Amazon with an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars. After reading through several of the reviews myself, here are the biggest pros and cons I found with this cat carrier:
Pros:
- Very spacious with room for most cats to move around
- Easy transport for outdoor adventures, moving, or frequent stops
- Comfortable and convenient for both you and your cat
Cons:
- The attached clip isn’t very sturdy according to reviews
- Although it’s advertised to be waterproof, customers have had issues with leaks during accidents
You can check out a full list of features, read customer reviews, and check the current price of the Lollimeow large cat backpack carrier on Amazon.
Methodology
When I started researching the best cat carriers, I followed the same process I would before making a purchase for my own cats. I read customer reviews, I looked at the manufacturer, retailer, and price of the carrier, and above all, I considered the comfort and safety of the cats and yourself.
Here are the main factors I considered while choosing the best cat carrier:
- Size. Each of the cat carriers on this list are big enough to comfortably hold a medium-sized cat while also being convenient enough to travel in the backseat of a car. Many also are airline-approved and collapse for easier storage. Still, they’re large enough to ensure the safety and comfort of your cat.
- Safety. Each of the carriers on this list are made from durable materials with proper support and reinforcement. They each contain mesh panels for proper ventilation, breathability, and visibility. Additionally, I considered safety features including secure fasteners, weight limits, ease of access, and travel-specific features such as handles.
- Comfort. In addition to proper size and safety features, I also made sure each carrier was large enough to be comfortable for your cat.
- Customer Satisfaction. Before I make any purchase, I always take the time to read customer reviews and consider the overall product rating. For each cat carrier on this list, I checked to make sure that customer reviews are overall positive and that each one had an average rating of at least 4/5 stars. That helped me to understand how accurate the cat carrier description was as well as the reliability of the seller.
Final Thoughts
If you’re getting ready to travel with your cat, be sure to purchase a cat carrier as soon as possible so that your cat has time to get familiar with it.
If you’re looking for a simple soft-sided carrier, I recommend the Petisfam Easy Vet Visit Pet Carrier. For a hard-sided option, consider the Amazon Basics Two-Door Pet Travel Carrier instead.
For more options, be sure to check out my full list of top picks for the best airline-approved cat carriers, the best cat carriers for two cats or the best cat carriers with a portable litter box included.
No matter which cat carrier you chose, I recommend ordering Feliway spray as well to help your cat warm up to the new space. Plus, this is a great way to help keep them calm on the day of travel!
Finally, be sure to check out these additional tips on traveling with your cat before hitting the road:
- Why Is My Cat Panting in the Car?
- How To Travel With a Cat Litter Box in the Car
- How Long You Can Travel With a Cat Before Needing a Break